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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Merle Travis' 100th Birthday



Wednesday, November 29, 2017 would have been Merle Travis' 100th birthday.

Recently, we asked a number of local musicians for comments about this legendary country performer.  Here are a few responses:

Marty Allen
Merle Travis, the template of Americana. It still moves me so!
Shawn Brush
Travis picking… How many people have a style named after them?
Ty Baynton
Merle Travis was a great songwriter and unique guitar player. I still use his picking style now and then while playing acousticly at shows or radio spots and I'm sure he influenced many other players as well.
Jonathan Knight (Soulstack)
Merle Travis is one of the cornerstones of my guitar playing. Travis picking was one of my first few chosen challenges and it's still part of my practise routine everyday
Tim McDonald (of the Barn Katz) responded with his cover of Merle's biggest hit: 16 Tons.



Links: Barn Katz, More Barn Katz Stories, Video above courtesy of Tim McDonald

Here are a few videos from the man himself.



Video above courtesy of antonichkov



Video above courtesy of justformusicvideos



Video above courtesy of TVHotRock

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Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 9 Today!


A word from Lou, our blogger:

In another year, HBL will be hitting double digits! It all started with me posting a Kijiji ad announcing my new organization: the Hamilton Blues Lovers. That ad has led me to a blog, a media presence (Blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, weekly e-mail newsletter and more) and a wonderful life with an amazing wife!

This has been a great year with my wife and I winning one of the first George R. Robinson awards! 

We have big plans for next year's 10th anniversary. STAY TUNED!



Links: Keith Richards, More Rolling Stones Stories, Video above courtesy of NokhaPaani
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Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Hamilton's Iskwé on CBC's q

Picture courtesy of CBC
Hamilton singer/songwriter Iskwé recently appeared on CBC's q program.  Here are a few of the videos from the show's YouTube site.









Blast from the Past: Hamilton Spectator Story on Iskwé (and more)

 Links: Iskwé, More Iskwé Stories,  More q Stories, Videos above courtesy of q on CBC
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Saturday, November 25, 2017

New Album from Elora's Kevin Breit Mixes Fun Lovin' Sound with the Avant-Garde


Elora's Kevin Breit is known for pushing musical boundaries.  His newest album (from Stony Plain), the all instrumental Johnny Goldtooth and the Chevy Casanovas mixes the avant-garde with catchy, twangy guitar.

With this recording, Kevin takes on the persona of Johnny Goldtooth, a reclusive, enigmatic, schmaltzy musician from the 70's. Under this guise, he creates fun-lovin' songs that still manage to push the envelope.  All the while, he shows off his incredible guitar and harmonica skills. It's one of the most unique albums out there!

Teaming up with Kevin is Vincent Henry, Michael Ward Bergeman, Davide DiRenzo and Gary Diggins.  They add a lot of nuances to these amazing instrumentals.

Go ahead and pick up a copy of the CD at his live shows.  You can also download it through iTunes.



Blast from the Past: Kevin's CD - Ernesto and Delilah

 Links: Kevin Breit, More Kevin Breit Stories, Video above courtesy of Stony Plain Records, More Releases
Previous (News Roundup: Tom Wilson, David Cassidy, Trews) - - - Next (Iskwe on CBC's q)
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Friday, November 24, 2017

News Roundup (Tom Wilson, David Cassidy, Trews)


New Beer from Mash Paddle Brewing Co. inspired by the Trews
Click pic to see how to enter to win tix to an acoustic Brantford show and more



Links: The Trews, More Trews Stories, Video above courtesy of brantfordredsox
Passings
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    Wednesday, November 22, 2017

    CONGRATS! Local Artists on CBC's 100 Best Canadian Songs of 2017 List


    CBC Music recently unveiled their 100 Best Canadian Songs of 2017 list.  Not surprisingly, a number of local artists made it. They are all from (or born in) the Hamilton area.

    Local Musicians on List

    23. Arkells: Knocking at the Door



    Links: Arkells, More Arkells Stories, Video above courtesy of ArkellsVEVO

    36. Matt Mays: Ola Volo



    Links: Matt Mays, More Matt Mays Stories, Video above courtesy of Sonic Records

    49. Whitehorse: Boys Like You



    Links: Whitehorse, More Whitehorse Stories, Video above courtesy of Six Shooter Records

    63. Terra Lightfoot: Paradise



    Links: Terra Lightfoot, More Terra Lightfoot Stories, Video above courtesy of Sonic Unyon Records
    Top Ten
    1. Drake: Passionfruit



      Links: Drake, Video above courtesy of Da Hot 100

    2. Alessia Cara and Zedd: Stay
    3. Jessie Reyez: Figures' (2017 radio edit)
    4. Daniel Caesar: We Find Love
    5. Shawn Mendes: There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back
    6. Carly Rae Jepsen: Cut to the Feeling
    7. Ruth B: Superficial Love
    8. Feist: Pleasure
    9. Arcade Fire: Everything Now
    10. Charlotte Cardin: Main Girl
    Previous (Stephen Fearing & Danny Michel Win Canadian Folk Music Awards)
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    Tuesday, November 21, 2017

    CONGRATS! Stephen Fearing and Danny Michel Win Canadian Folk Music Awards

    Pictures courtesy of the Canadian Folk Music Awards
    Former Guelphite Stephen Fearing and Waterloo's Danny Michel took home some hardware at the 10th Annual Canadian Folk Music Awards. Stephen won for Contemporary Singer of the Year and Danny earned two awards: Producer of the Year and The Oliver Schroer Pushing The Boundaries Award.



    Links: Stephen Fearing, More Stephen Fearing Stories, Video above courtesy of David Barrs



    Links: Danny Michel, More Danny Michael Stories, Video above courtesy of  Danny Michel

    The only other multiple winner was Ken Yates who won in the New/Emerging Artist of the Year and English Songwriter(s) of the Year categories.



    Links: Ken Yates, Video above courtesy of Ken Yates

    CONGRATS GUYS!

    Here's a complete list of winners
    Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners
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      Monday, November 20, 2017

      More Tasty Food and Amazing Music at Mississippi Queen Foods


      If you're looking for some incredible food to go with your fabulous music, you can't go wrong with Mississippi Queen Foods and her famous Southern Supper series.

      Here's what in store for the next little while (prices include food). Click the date for Facebook event page. Click prices to order tickets.

      Wednesday, November 22: Sinners Choir, 6:30pm ($45 - full dinner)/9pm ($25)



      Video above courtesy of 25musical
      Friday, November 24: Jerome Godboo and Eric Schenkman (Spin Doctors), 6:30pm $45 incl full dinner



      Links: Jerome Godboo, More Jerome Godboo Stories, Video above courtesy of Jerome Godboo
      Thursday, November 30: Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk), 6:30pm $45 incl full dinner



      Links: MonkeyJunk, More MonkeyJunk Stories, Video above courtesy of Kevin Simpson
      Thursday, December 7: Terry Gillespie, 6:30pm $45 incl full dinner



      Video above courtesy of Terry Gillespie
      Wednesday, December 13: Sean Pinchin, 6:30pm $45 incl full dinner



      Links: Sean Pinchin, More Sean Pinchin Stories, Video above courtesy of ivarius75
      Thursday, December 21, Chuck Jackson (Downchild) and Tyler Yarema (Christmas Show), 6:30pm/9pm ($45 - full dinner)



      Links: Chuck Jackson, More Downchild Stories, Tyler Yarema, Video above courtesy of wrs46
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      Saturday, November 18, 2017

      New Album from Hamilton's George Lardie Has Inviting Vibe


      Wheels of Life, the latest  exquisite CD from Hamilton's George Lardie is an album for the everyman (or everywoman). Filled with down-to-earth, hook-laden songs, the recording has an inviting vibe that welcomes you in for a spell.

      Just like life itself, the CD takes you through love, loss, enjoying the little things that make life enjoyable and much more.  George's lyrics can really tell a story and create a feeling. The melodic and infectious music also offers guidance throughout the emotional part of the journey.

      Joining George in this rhythmic expedition is Robert Nind, Carm Milioto (Live How You Live), Olivia Brown and various members of the Hamilton Bucket List Band.  Together, they have created quite a delightful slice of life.

      Be sure to grab a copy of the CD at his entertaining live shows or through his website.  You can also download it through his Bandcamp page.

      You can stream the album below. Click here if you can't see it.



      Links: George Lardie, More Releases
      Previous (News Roundup: Aestrid, Kevin Foster, Persons, Ammoye)
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      Friday, November 17, 2017

      News Roundup (Aestrid, Kevin Foster, Persons, Ammoye)

      Cambridge Times Readers' Choice Award Winners
      Music-related categories below - click text above for full list.


      Live Entertainment Venue/Live Theatre Venue
      Canada
      Passings
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      Wednesday, November 15, 2017

      Videos: Adam Cooke, Will Gillespie, Shari & Jonny w Justin Dunlop


      Links: Adam Cooke, More Adam Cooke Stories, More Elton John Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Adam Cooke

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      Tuesday, November 14, 2017

      CONGRATS! 2017 Brant News Readers' Choice Award Winners!


      Brant News Readers' Choice Award Winners
      Music-related categories below. Click title above form complete list.

      Professional Entertainers
      Entertainment
      Event or Festival
      Music Instructor (All from Avalon Music Academy) 
      Music Instruction
      Music Store (New)
      Music Store (Used)
      Musical Instrument Store
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      Sunday, November 12, 2017

      Jo Stafford's 100th Birthday


      Sunday, November 12, 2017 would have been Jo Stafford's 100th birthday.

      From Wikipedia:
      Jo Elizabeth Stafford (November 12, 1917 – July 16, 2008) was an American traditional pop music singer and occasional actress, whose career spanned five decades from the late 1930s to the early 1980s. Admired for the purity of her voice, she originally underwent classical training to become an opera singer before following a career in popular music, and by 1955 had achieved more worldwide record sales than any other female artist. Her 1952 song "You Belong to Me" topped the charts in the United States and United Kingdom, the record becoming the first by a female artist to reach number one on the U.K. Singles Chart.
      Here are a few videos from her illustrious career.
      Previous (Remembrance Day Videos: Colour Film, Cory Cruise, Ludgates, Bryan Adams) - - - Next (Brant News Readers' Choice Award Winners)
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      Saturday, November 11, 2017

      Lest We Forget! Remembrance Day Videos (Matthew de Zoete, John & Sheila Ludgate, Cory Cruise, Bryan Adams)





      Links: Colour Film (aka Matthew de Zoete), More Colour Film Stories, Video above courtesy of H2HFirefighter52



      Links: John and Sheila Ludgate, More John and Sheila Stories, Video above courtesy of saxondale2



      Links: Cory Cruise, More Cory Cruise Stories, Video above courtesy of Cory Cruise



      Links: Bryan Adams, More Bryan Adams Stories, Video above courtesy Ana Lake

      More Remembrance Day Songs
      Previous (News Roundup: Junkhouse, Logan Staats, BC Country Awards) - - - Next (Jo Stafford's 100th Birthday)
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      Friday, November 10, 2017

      News Roundup (Junkhouse, Logan Staats, BC Country Awards)

      BC Country Music Award Winners
          The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music Loving Monkey

          Trebleclef tagged along with mommy and daddy (Lou and Linda) to receive the George R Robinson award at a wonderful fundraiser at the Corktown hosted by the Hamilton Musicians Guild.


          Click here for more pictures from the event
          ----------

          He also went to check out the always amazing Andre Bisson at his CD Release at the Spice Factory.

          Click here for more pictures from the event

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          Wednesday, November 8, 2017

          CONGRATS! Fort Erie's Spencer Mackenzie Wins PeaceWorks Peace Song Contest Grand Prize


          Fort Erie Bluesman Spencer Mackenzie keep on raking in the awards and accolades!

          From the PeaceWorks Facebook page:
          BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! The grand prize winner of the 2017 PeaceWorks Peace Song Contest is SPENCER MACKENZIE! Spencer is a grade 12 student from Ridgeway Ontario and he attends The Greater Fort Erie Secondary School, which is part of the District School Board of Niagara. 
          Spencer will receive a $100 gift card from Long & McQuade Musical Instruments and a full-day recording session with an engineer at Metalworks Studios!
          PeaceWorks is a Kitchener-based non-profit organization.

          CONGRATS SPENCER!

          Here's the song that won him the award:



          . . . and a few more for good measure:



          More Bill Withers Covers/Stories





          Blast from the Past: Spencer Wins 2017 Maple Blues Award

           Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Video above courtesy of Spencer Mackenzie
          Previous (Matt Mays on CBC's q) - - - Next (News Roundup: Junkhouse, Logan Staats, BC Country Awards)
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          Tuesday, November 7, 2017

          Hamilton-Born Rocker Matt Mays on CBC's Q

          Picture courtesy of CBC
          Juno-winning Hamilton-born rocker Matt Mays recently appeared on CBC's q program.  Here are a few of the videos from the show's YouTube site.









          Blast from the Past: Matt Wins 2014 Juno

           Links: Matt Mays, More Matt Mays Stories, More q Stories, Videos above courtesy of q on CBC
          Previous (World Sax Day Videos) - - - Next (Spencer Mackenzie Wins PeaceWorks Peace Song Contest)
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          Sunday, November 5, 2017

          CONGRATS! Hamilton Blues Lovers, Kevin Barber and Graham Rockingham Receive George R. Robinson Awards



          It is with pride that we announce that Linda Fraser and Luis Pereira of the Hamilton Blues Lovers, along with Kevin Barber (Barber Shop Podcast) and Graham Rockingham (Hamilton Spectator)  received George R.  Robinson awards on November 4, 2017 from the Hamilton Musicians' Guild. Named after the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band leader (1869-1870), the award is given for Outstanding Support of Live Music.

          A word from Lou:
          Linda and I are deeply honoured to receive this award.  To be recognized by the fabulous talent this city has to offer fills us with pride.  It's also great to be included in with such luminaries as Graham and Kevin, who have done so much to support the arts in Hamilton. Thank you everyone.
          This was all part of the wonderful fundraiser for the Bob Pedler Memorial Fund, a charity that helps musicians in need. This incredible show included performance by members of the guild, featuring the return of former Teenage Head drummer Jack Pedler (Bob's son) to performing after a long illness.

          Photo courtesy of Rhonda Lueck

          Photo courtesy of Rhonda Lueck



          Click here for more photos from the event.

          Blast from the Past: HBL wins Hamilton Music Award

          Links: The Hamilton Musician's Guild, More Guild Stories, Barber Shop Podcast, Graham Rockingham
          Previous (News Roundup: Juliette, Livingroom Rockstars, Glenn Marais, Awards) - - - Next (World Sax Day Videos)
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          Friday, November 3, 2017

          News Roundup (Juliette, Livingroom Rockstars, Glenn Marais, Awards)




          Music-related categories. Click title or picture above for full list.

          Wedding Reception Musicians
          Local Artist
          Local Festival/Community Event
          Local Live Dining/Entertainment Facility
          Local Live Music Bar/Lounge
          Music Instructor
          CD Store/Record Store
          Musical Instrument Store
          Canada
          Montreal SOCAN Gala Award Winners (Highlights)
          Click title for complete list
          SOCAN Classics

          Passings
            The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Music Loving Monkey

            Trebleclef went to the (possibly) final Hamilton Folk Club.  It was founder, Al Lindsay's last club as runner (if no one takes over, this will be the final one). Thank you for all your hard work!


            Links: Hamilton Folk Club, More Hamilton Folk Club Stories, More pictures from the event

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